Advisory for Indian nationals in Bulgaria and North Macedonia
(21.03.2020)
1. In view of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic globally and declaration of a state of emergency by the Governments of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the Embassy of India, Sofia is carefully monitoring the situation and is in touch with the authorities in both countries.
2. All Indian nationals in Bulgaria and North Macedonia are advised to follow the advisories and guidelines issued by the respective Governments and local municipalities on the subject.
3. The Embassy of India in Sofia has instituted the following dedicated helpline numbers w.e.f. 20 March 2020:
Helpline Numbers.
+359 876 886 165
+359 877 398 554
+359 888 753 220
Email: cons.sofia@mea.gov.in
hoc.sofia@mea.gov.in
(* The general numbers of the Embassy will remain suspended for the time being.)
4. Please note that consular services remain open only for emergency services by appointment. Submission of documents in person for consular services has been temporarily discontinued.
5. Travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union to India is prohibited with effect from 18th March 2020. These instructions are temporary measures and shall be in force till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently.
6. Entry into Bulgaria has been prohibited for all third country nationals w.e.f. 00.00 hours on 18 March 2020 except those holding permanent residence in Bulgaria. North Macedonia has also closed its border to all foreign nationals.
7. Indian nationals in Bulgaria whose Bulgarian residence ID cards / visas are due to expire in the coming days are advised to apply for their renewal. Those Indian nationals whose Bulgarian residence ID / long term visas are due to expire in the coming days and are in India are advised to approach the Embassy of Bulgaria, New Delhi for the same.
8. For those Indian citizens wishing to return to Bulgaria or North Macedonia, please follow the respective Government’s travel advisories at:
https://www.mfa.bg/en/customnews/main/24737 & https://www.mfa.gov.mk/.
9. For India related queries, travel advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/) and the Bureau of Immigration (https://boi.gov.in/) may be checked. Details of Ministry of External Affairs helplines for COVID-19 are given below:
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, India
Helplines for COVID-19
1800118797 (toll free)
00-91-11-23012113
00-91-11-23014104
00-91-11-23017905
00-91-11-23018158 (Fax)
Email: covid19@mea.gov.in
10. In case of any health-related emergency in Bulgaria, the National hotline numbers, apart from 112, are:
During working hours for General information:
+ 359 2 9301 152
+ 359 2 9301 253
+ 359 2 9301 259
From 2000 hrs to 0800 hrs and during weekends:
+ 359 2 8050 300
+ 359 8 8833 4545
11. The National hotline number for health-related emergency in North Macedonia is +389 80000203.
12. All classes at the Embassy of India, including Yoga, Hindi and Sanskrit, remain suspended till further notice.
13. All Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to register online on the Embassy website at http://www.indembsofia.gov.in/register
14. Please follow our website (www.indembsofia.gov.in) and social media for regular updates. The details are
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndiaInBulgaria/
Twitter: @IndiaInBulgaria
To join the Indian Embassy WhatsApp support group, please send a message to the following number: +359 876 886 165
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